The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-05
WAGNER'S WORK IN PARIS
The Recent Demonstration Against the
Production of ''Lohengrin."
An Entire Winters Work and Large Fort
une Sacrificed to the False Patriotism"
of Young Partisan Sans CulOttes.


Theater, and it is sad report TO chronicle til at
Mr.. Lamoureaux has at last been forced to
yield to his high sense of duty and relinquish
the presentations. 1t may be of interest to the
readers of the Journal to have a report of the
proceedings from unprejudiced observer on
the grounds. For months this enterprise of
Mr.. Lamoureaux has been going on quietly, and
everything tended to a season of highly in ter
esting performances of opera-the first produc-
ton of Wagnerlan opera in Pars-not only in
teresting, bat successful, when Just as the
first represent ation was announced, unfortunate
Mr. Scnnaebele had to get into trouble on
the frontier. Americans cannot understand the
great party feeling that exists in Europe. In
Paris, in all large cities there is low ele-
ment Of society whose whole aim is excitement.
and which is looking for anything and every
thing to find it With some it goes under the
name Of patriotism, but to the sober, educated
mind it is only riot and destruction. So it was
in the time of the Commune-so has it been in
all the riots in our own country 1t Is quite
true Wagner had insulted the French Poop lie.
but even in his own country, as man he was
not loved as many musicians have been before
him. AS soon Wagnerian opera
was talked of here, of the
small journals commenced to hunt after
personalities, recalling how, at a time when
Wagner lived in Paris, during national cele-
bration, he hung out of his window the German
flag, which incensed the rabble to such an
tent it was torn down and trampled to pieces in
the gutter. thus causing apologies to be made to
the French government from the German, and
when Wagner could not get his works produced
here he left the city in high dudgeon publishing
a very insulting work against people who had
not only received him when he was in need, but
had given him employ ment All this talk was
not from musicians and peace-loving citizens.
During the winter much of the Wagner music
has been played here by all the orchestras. Civ
ing the popular concerts-Lamoureaux.C olonne.
and Pasdeloup-and it had been enthusiast
tically received, thus encouraging Mr.. Lamour-
eaux, who. in a straightforward, musicianly
manner. pushed on his work. AT last the even
ing arrived for the first performance. The
'T,oheDerin' was thoroughly rehearsed. TIE art
lists specially selected, and the stage setting
plete In every detail Every seat was sold be-
fore the opening of the doors, in fact, nearly
every ticket was sold for the entire series of
twelve performances About o'clock crowd
of people began to gather in front of the thea
ter, and the hours advanced it increased until
it numbered more than two thousand persons
1t was found necessary to call upon the police to
establish line, to permit the ticket
holders to enter the theater. While the
crowd boisterous in the begi inning, it
was noisy, ana the carriages rolled up to the
entrance their occupants greeted with
Kisses and shouts, and they were even told they
must not go in. One anecdote was quite anus
Ing. A carriage arrived, in which was seated
very beautiful lady, and who was approached by
the leader of the anti " agnerians. He said:
Madame you are not French woman if you
enter the theater to hear this opera"
"Quite true" she replied, 81 II Spanish and
she passed in.
Every place occupied in this beautiful
Eden Theater by one of the most brilliant audi
ences ever assembled composed of the nobility,
literati. The theater itself is the
beautiful in Paris and perfectly adapted
to opera. There is not an undesirable seat in it,
and it is not so large that voices of ordin ary
power do not sound well in it. Mr.. Lamoureaux
had chosen his artists, including Nine. Fides-
Devries. who was conceded an ideal Elsa; Mon
sieur Van Dyck. Belgian. with a beautiful tenor
voice, and who is great success in concerts
here; Monsieur Anguez. who has a fine baritone
voice, and others of less reputation, and the per
formsnce was a success in every particular All
the first journals of Paris have written the most
eulogstc articles and it is only the smaller ones,
without any standing who have written against
harmony, and at the end of each set ovation
waited the artists. When the curtain fell
on the last act (which was nearly 2
o'clock in the morning) the artists,
including MIR. Lamoureaux. called and
recalled. But. though satisfactory as was
erythng within, not without, for there the
crowd had augmented and portions sang the
"Marseillaise," while others cried "A bas PAlle-
maud" Down with the Germany, IA has Wag
ner," give la France" Hoots and misses filed
the aid, and a stone was thrown breaking one OF
the stained glass windows in the foyer of the
theater. A man was seen carrying some flowers
for one of the artists, down the street that led
to the stage entrance. A crowd in
pursuit, and overpowering him, the bouquets
were seized and torn to pieces. Several arrests
were made. A heavy rain coming ND had a good
effect, since it compelled the crowd to seek
it,
night by the time the performance
finished, not fifty people were left in the street
Still, their enthusiasm not dampened by
the falling rain, and they greeted the audience
with Kisses and low remarks as it came out. AL
though there was not performance the follow
ing night. the rioters again gathered about the
theater they tore down the posters, and made
other demonstrations necesstating the calling
out of the police. who charged upon themiand
made many more arrests. When it came the
evening of the second representation, MIR.
Lamoureaux decided to abandon his scheme,
since there was an element, even if low, that
opposed to it. He went TO the
high officials here, and before them
linquished his project for a time at least.
He is thoroughly disheartened. for he has put
his heart and fortune in his work. The govern
ment offered to reimburse him. but he refused
all overtures. He is reported as having said he
would not give any more concerts here and that
he would leave Paris. This would be great
loss to this art center. for Mr.. Lamoureaux has
gathered about him an orchestra second to none
in the world There not more than two it's
equal; therefore, Inc loss or Sucn an organlZa-
ton would be irreparable. 1t is an orchestra
that plays like one mantle cooring is perfec
ton, and the Interpretation of all works beyond
criticism. / was amusing to read the names of
those arreste' after the demonstration against the
"Loheugrin. They were the lesser employees in
the bake and butcher shop. the markets. etc. and
all were under twenty years of age However,
it is this element that instigates all troubles.
and at time when Europs is unsettled 1t is
wise TO do as Mr.. Lamonreaux has done, and by
so doing he not only retains the high respect of
the officials but he establishes himself in such a
manner that whatever else he does in must c
hereafter, if he remains in Paris. he will have
the support of the people he wishes for 1t was
noticeable the night of "Lobencrin" the fear all
the performers showed, not of their musical
success, or the work, but from the mob outside.
Nearly everyone had received anonymous let
tiers. and it for the safety of others
than for his own that Mr.. Lamoureaux had to
consider. Mime. Fides- Devries had been warned
that if she sang bomb would be thrown upon
the stage. Mr.. Lamoureaux has a lovely and
petted daughter. and she was told she would have
virriol thrown in her face and for days after the
performance she was concealed. In truth there
end of these socialistic threats, and now,
ftnr rJynfa nf uhaarS afr